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CHAMPION—November 2, 2008

        Taft carried Missouri by over four thousand majority in 1908, according to the Douglas County Herald.  It turns out that he was the ‘portliest’ President the Nation has ever had.  He was 5’11” tall and at his heaviest weighed about 344 pounds!  He served from 1909 until 1912 as the 27^th President and has the distinction of being the only President to be on the Supreme Court.  He was the tenth Chief Justice from 1921 to 1930.  He is also considered to be responsible for the seventh inning stretch at baseball games.  The president was watching a game and, in the seventh inning, he got up to stretch.  The crowd, out of respect for the President, also rose to its feet.  Since then, people have stretched during the seventh inning of baseball games.  There are several stories about how that tradition started.  Tradition is a funny thing sometimes.  One of the best traditions of all nations in the world, past and present, is the peaceful and orderly transfer of power from one leader to the next.  The founding Fathers set it up that way and Americans have been the beneficiaries of this wisdom since the beginning of the Nation.  There have been some excellent stories in the press recently about how President Bush’s office has been working with both candidates to insure that the transition is a smooth one.  Mrs. Wrinkles, an election official from over at Vanzant, said that whoever gets this one inherits a mess.  She is right and by the time this goes to ink and gets into the reader’s hands all will have been revealed.  Hooray, America! And Good Luck!  It was a treat for some Champions to hear an old Hank Williams tune recently released by Elvis Costello and Charlie Haden—“You Win Again!”  It was played on the radio the other day and these old Champions sang their own version:  “You win again, America!  You sweet old Democracy!”

        A lovely note has arrived in the Champion News mailbox:  “Hello!  Linda Clark from Ava here.  I read in the Champion items in the Douglas County Herald that you were wanting the name of the third person singing on the song, “We Live in Two Different Worlds.”  He is my brother-in-law, Luke Dartt from Brighton, Missouri.  Luke is singing the verses, and my Dad, Wayne Anderson, and Lonnie Krider are singing with him on the chorus.  This song is from a CD that was made at Plainview School house a few years back at a benefit for Relay for Life.  It was sort of a family affair with our good friend, Lonnie Krider, joining us.  My Dad, Wayne Anderson, was playing the banjo; Lonnie Krider was playing the mandolin; my sister, Brenda Dartt was playing bass; my brother-in-law, Luke Dartt, was playing the guitar; everyone got in on the vocals, and I helped sing back up on a few of the songs.  You many not have wanted all of the information above; so I guess the short answer to your question of who the third person is…it’s Wayne Anderson’s son-in-law, Luke Dartt.  😉  Have a good day, and keep Looking on the Bright Side!  Linda Clark Ava, Missouri.”  That was a welcome note and more information is always better!  Administrators of the www.championnews.us site are planning to make more tunes from that CD available soon.

        Before another Herald hits the newsstands America will have celebrated Veteran’s Day.  President Bush has urged all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week.  “I encourage all Americans to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers.  I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities.  I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.”  Champions are pleased to do that.  Last week it was reported that thirteen US Servicepersonnel had died in the middle east.  Nine of them were between the ages of 18 and 25.  The others were 29, 30, 33, and 39 years old.  They all had survivors, family and friends.  They have the Love and Gratitude of their Country.

        Those boys from Tennessee were back in the neighborhood for a few days.  Dakota and Dillon were helping out on the farm and going deer hunting with various Uncles.  It will be exciting to learn how that went.  Some of those Uncles have a funny way of hunting, but the boys are level headed young fellows and probably made out just fine no matter what the example set for them.  They might have been able to dodge the General this trip, but their Great Uncle Vernon Upshaw spent Sunday afternoon on the farm with them and they are no doubt better for the exposure.

        Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood says that November 6, 7, 10, and 11 are good days to prune in order to discourage growth.  The 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th are all good days for destroying weeds.  There is plenty to do in the garden year round.  One old Champion is dredging her little pond and putting the mud and algae on the garden.  A wheel barrow full of liquid is an interesting push!  Some are finally getting some tender things mulched for the winter.  Some are getting the last of the produce put up in the pantry, freezer and cellar and some are pulling a nice sweet turnip here and there.  Living out in the exurbs is a lovely place to live.  Champions are happy about their gardens, their government, their peace and tranquility and Champions are good commemorators.  An estemed Champion has a big birthday coming up on the 6^th of the month and there will be some fine celebrating done.  He’ll be old enough to get his old age pension and will be happy just to wake up!  Meanwhile other Champions are planning an election party with chocolate cup cakes full of macadamia nuts!  Hip Hip Hooray!

        Reasons to celebrate can be sent to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion News.  Sing any Hank Williams song on the porch at Henson’s Store in the heart of Champion.  Go “Window Shopping” or “Howling at the Moon” or just step out there for a good stretch.  It is on the North Side of the Square.  That is one of the many places in the glorious exurb where Champions Look on the Bright Side!